Barefoot Contessa’s Silky-Smooth Parmesan Risotto Recipe

Creamy, rich risotto often seems like a restaurant-only dish, but this Barefoot Contessa easy Parmesan risotto recipe breaks all those fancy cooking myths.

Ina Garten’s approach turns complex culinary techniques into simple, delightful home cooking.

One pot becomes your gateway to Italian-inspired comfort with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Smooth arborio rice absorbs chicken stock like a culinary sponge, creating luxurious textures that dance on your palate.

Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty depth that makes each bite irresistibly complex.

Sharp and aromatic ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a restaurant-quality meal without intimidating steps.

You’ll master this elegant dish faster than ordering takeout, transforming dinner into a gourmet experience that feels effortlessly sophisticated.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 4

Easy Parmesan Risotto: What You’ll Need

• Arborio Rice: Creamy, starchy Italian short-grain rice perfect for creating luxurious risotto texture with rich, velvety consistency.
• Chicken Stock: Provides deep, savory flavor foundation and helps cook rice evenly with delicious underlying warmth.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty Italian cheese that adds robust depth and silky smoothness to the risotto.
• White Wine: Introduces bright, tangy undertones that balance the richness and elevate the overall taste profile.
• Butter: Creates luxurious, glossy finish and adds subtle richness to the dish.

• Frozen Peas: Sweet, vibrant green vegetables that bring fresh color, slight crunch, and delicate sweetness to the risotto.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to heighten and harmonize all other ingredient flavors, ensuring balanced taste experience.

Kitchen Tools for Parmesan Risotto

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for oven-baking risotto evenly.
• Measuring cups: Essential for precise liquid and ingredient measurements.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add salt and pepper.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring risotto smoothly and preventing sticking.
• Cheese grater: Freshly grate Parmesan for maximum flavor.
• Oven mitts: Protect hands when handling hot Dutch oven.

How to Cook Parmesan Risotto

• Oven Preparation

Set your oven to a cozy temperature that will help transform simple ingredients into a creamy delight.

• Rice and Liquid Magic

Combine rice with warm chicken stock in a sturdy Dutch oven, creating a foundation for a comforting meal that will fill your kitchen with amazing aromas.

• Creamy Transformation

After the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, pull the pot from the oven and introduce remaining stock, Parmesan, wine, and butter. Stir with passion until the mixture becomes luxuriously smooth and inviting.

• Vibrant Green Touch

Sprinkle in frozen peas, allowing them to warm through and add a pop of color and freshness to your risotto.

• Serving Celebration

Plate your risotto immediately, garnishing with an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese that will melt slightly and create a tempting finish. Gather your loved ones and enjoy this comforting dish straight from the oven.

Tips to Boost Parmesan Risotto Flavor

• Select arborio or carnaroli rice for authentic, creamy risotto texture that absorbs liquid perfectly and releases starch gradually.
• Swap chicken stock with vegetable or seafood stock to create unique flavor profiles that complement different main dishes or dietary preferences.
• Enhance the dish by stirring in crispy pancetta, sautéed shrimp, grilled chicken, or roasted mushrooms for extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like roasted asparagus in spring, butternut squash in autumn, or sundried tomatoes during summer to keep the recipe exciting and fresh.
• Try mixing different hard cheeses like pecorino romano or aged gouda alongside parmesan for a more complex and rich cheese flavor profile.

Parmesan Risotto: How to Serve It

• Pair with Protein: Serve this creamy risotto alongside grilled chicken, seared salmon, or pan-roasted shrimp for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Garnish with Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, basil, or chives on top to add a bright, herbal note and enhance the dish's visual appeal.
• Create a Rustic Presentation: Plate the risotto in wide, shallow bowls and add a generous dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian-style dining experience.
• Add Texture Contrast: Top with crispy pancetta bits, toasted pine nuts, or breadcrumbs to introduce a delightful crunch that complements the creamy risotto.

Store and Reheat Parmesan Risotto Properly

• Maximize Meal Prep: Cook extra risotto for quick lunches during the week, storing it in airtight containers for easy reheating.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Keep leftover risotto in sealed containers for 3-4 days, preventing moisture and maintaining texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of chicken stock to restore creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Later: Package cooled risotto in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air, and store up to 2 months for convenient future meals.

Elegant Parmesan Risotto Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s easy parmesan risotto combines creamy Arborio rice with rich Parmesan cheese for a luxurious Italian comfort dish. Guests will savor each silky spoonful of this classic Mediterranean classic that invites warm culinary connection.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.2 liters (5 cups) hot chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 300 grams (10.6 oz) Arborio rice
• 100 grams (3.5 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 150 grams (5.3 oz) frozen peas
• 120 milliliters (4 fl oz) dry white wine
• 45 grams (1.6 oz) unsalted butter, diced
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease a Dutch oven or ceramic casserole dish with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage to prevent ingredient adherence.
2. Rice Integration: Distribute arborio rice evenly in the prepared dish, completely submerging grains in hot chicken stock for uniform moisture absorption.
3. Oven Technique: Seal the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil, then position in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 45 minutes, allowing gentle, consistent cooking.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Remove the dish, then vigorously incorporate remaining chicken stock, Parmesan cheese, white wine, unsalted butter, kosher salt, and black pepper, creating a luxurious, velvety texture through thorough mixing.
5. Final Touches: Delicately fold in frozen green peas, warming them while preserving their vibrant color and crisp character.
6. Presentation: Transfer the risotto to warmed plates, embellishing with additional Parmesan cheese and a delicate pepper sprinkle, serving immediately to maintain its creamy, glossy consistency.

Notes

• Prevent Rice Clumping: Gently distribute arborio rice evenly in the liquid to ensure uniform cooking and prevent sticky, uneven texture.
• Moisture Matters: Use a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil to trap steam, creating a consistent cooking environment that helps rice absorb liquid perfectly.
• Temperature Control: Maintain a steady 175°C (350°F) oven temperature to allow gentle, even cooking that develops risotto’s signature creamy consistency.
• Final Stirring Technique: Vigorously mix in final ingredients for 2-3 minutes to create a luxurious, velvety texture that blends flavors seamlessly and prevents separation.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 590 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg